Hypnosis vs. Progressive Muscle Relaxation as Cognitive-Therapeutic Interventions: Insights into Reducing EFL Learners’ Test Anxiety

Among the variety of intervention techniques for treating test anxiety that interferes with students' ability to demonstrate their real knowledge on examinations, cognitive-behavioral methods have been proposed to be effective. The current study aimed to investigate whether two cognitive-behavioral techniques (relaxation & hypnosis) would reduce test anxiety in female high school third year students. A randomized controlled trial was conducted through which 60 female high school third year students were randomly assigned to three groups of relaxation, hypnosis and control. A trained clinical psychologist delivered the relaxation and hypnosis sessions having assured hypnotizability. Each session lasted 40 minutes twice a week within two weeks. The relaxation and the hypnosis groups received progressive muscle relaxation and positive suggestions given to subconscious mind for managing exam anxiety, respectively; while, the control group received no treatment but the Test Anxiety Questionnaire as a pre-test. Matched t-tests run on pre-and post-test results showed that both treatments resulted in reduced test anxiety. Further ANCOVA and follow up Bonferoni test indicated a significant difference among the three groups, with hypnosis intervention as significantly the most successful one. Findings highlight the need to consider the role of psychology and cognitive-behavioral intervention techniques in reducing test anxiety

The effectiveness of worry exposure in treating generalized anxiety disorder

Worry exposure (WE) is a core of cognitive-behavioral treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The present study was carried out to examine the efficacy of WE in treating patients with GAD. Three patients with GAD were selected using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) based on disorders axis I. Subjects were selected using purposeful sampling, and underwent the treatment after gaining treatment needs. Multiple baseline experimental single case study was used as the method of the present study. The treatment program was carried out for 8 weekly sessions, with a follow up period of 3 months later treatment ending. Subjects completed Pennsylvania State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) and Cognitive Avoidance Questionnaire (CAQ). Research findings represented that WE decreased the intensity of GAD symptoms: Pathologic worry and cognitive avoidance. WE has suitable efficacy in treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder and it maintains suitable efficacy in treating GAD

Evaluation of Depression, Anxiety, Stress levels and Stressors among Dental Students of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences in Academic Year of 2015-2016

Background and Objective: Depression, anxiety and stress prevalence is one the most important problems among dental students. Due to psychiatric side effects among students, this study was conducted to determine the rate of depression, anxiety and stress in dental students of Zanjan University of Medical Science in academic year of 2015-2016. Material and Methods: This study with designing of cross sectional-description was done on 149 dental students. Sampling was done randomly and data were completed by questionnaires. In this research questionnaire DASS21 was used for investigating rate of depression, anxiety and stress and questionnaires DESQ was used for investigating stress source factors. Results were analyzed statistically by independent t-test and ANOVA. Results: The present study showed that dental students had depression, anxiety and stress rates of 31.5%, 40.3% and 41.6%, respectively. There was no significant difference between depression, anxiety and stress in terms of gender and place of residence (p> 0.05). There was a significant difference between depression and stress level in terms of educational level (p ≤ 0.05). The most important stress source factors from students’ point of view were as follows: In educational field was fear of failing (57%), in clinical field was responsibilities for comprehensive patient care (36.2%), and in outside of university was living far from family (37.5%) Conclusion: Regarding the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress mentioned and the stressors present, it is recommended that authorities endeavor to decrease these factors and prepare a better educational atmosphere for students

A new extragradient algorithm for split equilibrium problems and fixed point problems

Abstract In this paper, we present a new extragradient algorithm for approximating a solution of the split equilibrium problems and split fixed point problems. The strong convergence theorems are proved in the framework of Hilbert spaces under some mild conditions. We apply the obtained main result for the problem of finding a solution of split variational inequality problems and split fixed point problems and a numerical example and computational results are also provided

Comparing the Effectiveness of Neurofeedback and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Sleep Quality of Patients With Migraine

Introduction: Migraine is considered one of the most common primary headache disorders. Migraine attacks may occur due to a lack of sleep. Furthermore, sleep is regarded as one of the smoothing factors of migraine pain. Patients with sleep disorders often suffer from headaches when they wake up compared with healthy individuals.  Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a 2-month follow-up. The samples included 20 migraine patients within the age range of 15 to 55 years who were selected as volunteers for treatment by the neurologists and psychiatrists during 2017. The initial evaluation was then conducted based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and using the Ahvaz migraine questionnaire, and Pittsburgh sleep quality index. The patients were randomly assigned to two neurofeedback (n=10) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) (n=10) groups and evaluated three times. The obtained data were analyzed by the repeated measures ANCOVA and Chi-square test in SPSS.  Results: Based on the scores of both groups, no significant difference was observed between neurofeedback and tDCS groups. However, based on the results, neurofeedback decreased sleep latency, whereas tDCS increased sleep efficiency. Overall, these two treatments were effective in improving subjective sleep quality and sleep quality. Conclusion: Both neurofeedback and tDCS treatments could significantly enhance sleep quality of the patients in the posttest and 2-month follow-up. Given the effectiveness of both treatments, neurofeedback and tDCS are recommended to be used for improving the sleep status of patients with migraine

Effect of Positive Psychology Group Counseling on Quality of Life of Pregnant Women

Background and purpose: Mental health is one of the main aspects that is directly related to the quality of life of pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of group counseling on quality of life in pregnant women applying positive psychology. Materials and methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 56 pregnant women were selected by convenience sampling and were divided into intervention (n=28) and control (n=28) groups using randomized block design. The health-related quality of life questionnaire SF-36 was administered at pre-test, post-test, and six weeks after the intervention. Positive psychology interventions were performed twice weekly for 60 min per session during four weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square, independent t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: After the intervention, there was a significant difference in the mean score for quality of life between the intervention group (76.78±11.9) and control group (67.90±13.06) (P= 0.01). The mean scores for physical and psychological dimensions also showed significant differences between the two groups at post-test (P <0.05). Six weeks after the intervention, there was a significant difference between the two groups in the psychological dimension (P= 0.043), but the mean score for total quality of life (P= 0.058) and its physical dimension (P=0.093) were not significantly different. Repeated measures ANOVA showed significant differences between all variables in the intervention group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Positive counseling can improve the quality of life and mental health of pregnant women, but quality of life is a multidimensional issue and its maintenance requires attention to all aspects of health and consistent counseling.   (Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT20160521027994N6

The effect of cognitive behavioral counseling on anxiety and worry level of women with intermediate risk during first trimester screening for down syndrome: a randomized controlled trial: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Anxiety related to prenatal screening programs negatively affects maternal and child health. Objective The study aimed to determine the effect of Cognitive Behavioral Counseling on the anxiety and worry levels of women with intermediate risk during first-trimester screening for Down Syndrome. Methods The study was a randomized controlled trial conducted on 52 pregnant women with intermediate risk (1: 51 − 1:1500) during first-trimester screening for Down Syndrome and without additional structural anomalies that referred to three cities of Zanjan province in 2021. The eligible women were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups, with a block size of four. The intervention group received CBC in four sessions of 120 min two times a week by phone. Data were collected using Vandenberg Anxiety Questionnaire, and Cambridge Worry Questionnaire in three phases baseline, after the intervention, and 6 weeks follow-ups. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square, and repeated measures ANOVA at a 95% confidence level. (P < 0.05). Results In the counselling group, the mean (SD) of a total score of anxiety before the intervention was 67.11 (20.68) which decreased to 32.50 (13.58) in six weeks after the intervention. Furthermore, the mean (SD) of a total score of worry before the intervention was 56.19 (16.76) which decreased to 32.96 (8.89) six weeks after the intervention. Based on the repeated measures ANOVA test, the mean total score of anxiety and worry were statistically significant 6 weeks after the intervention compared with the control group(p < 0.001). Conclusion Based on the study results, CBC can reduce the anxiety and worry levels of women with intermediate risk during first trimester screening for Down Syndrome. Trial registration The study was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials website under the code IRCT20160608028352N8, ( https://en.irct.ir/trial/49998 ). The first trial registration date was (29/08/2020)

Comparing the Efficacy of Anodal, Cathodal, and Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor and Psychological Symptoms in Opioid-addicted Patients

Introduction: Addiction to opioids is a serious problem and concern in any nation today.  Unfortunately, the rate of taking these drugs and addiction to them has drastically increased. This research aimed at the study of the degree of the BDNF serum level, reducing depression, stress and also studied the diminishing the craving by means of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in opioid abusing patients. Method: The research method was a quasi-experimental design with a pre-post test administered on three groups. The statistical population included all addicted people to opioids in Zanjan. A sample of 30 patients was selected based on the DSM-5 diagnosing criteria through available sampling and then they were randomly placed into three groups of 10 people. After all the participants knowingly filled out the consent forms before performing an intervention, they were evaluated by ELISA technique to measure the serum level of BDNF, then a desires for drugs questionnaire (DDQ), depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS) were administered. Then, for 10 sessions of 20 minutes, tDCS for the three groups, namely Group A (L-DLPFC) anodal left/catodal right, group B( R-DLPFC) anodal right/cathodal left, and group C (sham-tDCS) were administered. After the treatment, all the participants were reevaluated and then the data were analyzed by Kolmogorov- Smirnov test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Bonfreoni test. Results: The results showed that stimulating the DLPFC led to a significant change in growing the level of BDNF (P= .031) and lowering the degree of depression (p= .018), anxiety (p= .001), stress (p= .012) and decreased the level of craving (p= .001) in opioid addicted patients. Moreover, the pair comparison indicated that group B showed a significant improvement versus group C. Conclusion: The findings of this research suggest that TDCS is an effective and a complementary treatment, beside the common treatments of opioid abusing patients

Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Levels Among Healthcare Staff During the COVID-19 Epidemic

Introduction: In the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, medical staff Are  in direct contact with the patients and experience high work pressure. Direct contact with the patients could create some psychological problems in this group. Thus, the prevalence of such problems must be investigated in them. The present study aimed to determine the level of stress, anxiety, and depression among the healthcare staff in Zanjan City, Iran, during the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: This descriptive study has a cross-sectional design. The Sample of the study population consisted of 535 Staff healthcare members of Vali-e-Asr Hospital in Zanjan City, Iran. A sample of 200 of medical staff was randomly selected to participate in the present study. The required data were collected using the electronic version of Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS) tool. Descriptive statistics, as well as the inferential statistics (the Pearson correlation coefficient, Spearman correlation coefficient, Phi, and Cramer’s correlation tests), were used to analyze the obtained data in SPSS. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 40.60 years. The mean values of depression, anxiety, and stress in study samples were 6.27, 5.38, and 8.41, respectively. There was a significant relation between gender and variables of depression, anxiety, and stress. There was also an inverse relationship between stress and variables of educational level and age (P<0/05). Conclusion: We found that our sample reported a normal degree of Depression, anxiety, and stress. The extent of stress induced by direct contact with patients was higher in female employees. Furthermore, with the increase in the education and age of the employees, their stress level decreased